Dear Trekker,
Watching the President’s speech to the nation (Jan 20), I couldn’t help but think of the office of President as one of the greatest role model platforms available to anyone. A bully pulpit indeed! Yet while listening, I was also keenly aware of the separation of the message and messenger whenever speeches are given. Is the message believable… is the messenger believable? What is one’s attitude in delivery? Is the message healing, is it focused, is it humble, is it forward looking and feasible in its content?
All of these thoughts occurred in the context of some deep study and recent meditation on the life and teaching of John the Baptist. What a man! No wonder Jesus declared, “Among all men ever born, there is none who shines more brightly” (Matthew 11:11). No doubt John let his light so shine before men that they could receive the one coming after him and glorify the Father in heaven.
What a rich heritage preceded the arrival of John the baptizer. Luke 1 gives a thorough account of John’s birth to Zacharias and Elizabeth, both of whom Scripture tells us descended from the priestly family of Aaron. (Trekker, read Luke 1 as background. You will be blessed.) Perhaps surprisingly, I have been led to see John as an adult role model! Of course Jesus the Christ is the role model par excellence, but John, a mere man as we, sets forth a life and teaching which any trekker would seek.
Mark’s gospel quickly quotes the prophet Malachi (3:1) saying he (God) would send His Son to earth, (but) a special messenger would arrive first to prepare the world for His coming. Role models prepare others for what is coming. All know that the key to execution in life is preparation. Fail to prepare; prepare to fail. John’s message was simple… prepare first yourself. One of the tragedies current in our lifetime is the seemingly inborn trait to blame anyone or anything but oneself. The whole of John’s life was to set himself apart (by his life in the desert no less) through his Nazaritic life style to be in a position to call others to repentance. He, too, was a sinner “who was not worthy” to do what he did, but he had the character, fortitude and fervor to call others to repent. Hence, his baptism of thousands in the Jordan River.
Surely each of us must begin the trek behind the Baptizer by confession to oneself. If we shut our eyes to the truth of life and ourselves, we can never see or deal with sin. The first step to grace is to open one’s eyes to the man in the mirror. True role models have faced themselves resolutely and cause others to do so as well. Confession branches out to others. There is good reason the Teacher spoke about leaving one’s gift at the altar and first going to reconcile with a brother or sister. Confession to the God we do not see is often easier than to the friend we do. Confession ends with amends, an about face away from our sin and turning to God, always with, “God be merciful unto me a sinner.”
The Baptizer was a role model in that he lived his message. He did not say, “Look at me.” He said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the world’s sin. He is the one far greater than I, who existed long before me” (John 1). Not only his words, but his life spoke volumes. So his message became effective because he told people what in their heart of hearts they knew to be true. And he did it all with humility. “I am not worthy to even untie his sandals.” “He must increase and I must decrease.”
We live in an age where it is cool to be #1. Not John. His own words underscore he was not fit for the duty of being a slave, for slaves washed feet in from the dusty roads of Galilee. John asked nothing for himself, praised nothing about himself, but pointed all to the Christ he proclaimed. Authentic role models point beyond oneself, raise others to new heights, cheer others onward, upward and outward. John’s self-effacement and his utter lostness in his message compelled others to listen and believe him.
John’s call to repentance was the necessary step to belief in the coming Christ. C.S. Lewis says quite succinctly (Mere Christianity) that to ask God to take us back without repentance is the same as not going back to God at all. Repentance and belief are two sides of the same coin. To speak of one is to include the other. With the coming of Christ, repentance is simply the daily practice of turning consciously away from our sins and being empowered by the Spirit to walk in the direction of Christ.
Role models point the way, and inspire us to go there. They outline the preparation necessary for the journey. They do it all with a sense that something or someone out there is “bigger than you and I.” They are focused; nothing deters them. And of course, in John’s case, it cost him his earthly life.
Presidents making speeches about their governance and the effects thereof on a nation may not be paragons of virtue, “role models,” but it surely would help. When heads of nations are not role models, history argues that people are not well-served, regardless of the intention of leaders.
Trekker, be a role model! In your home, the market place, wherever you go. Point people to Jesus; do it humbly and make sure the secrets of success (repentance/integrity/learning/belief beyond understanding) are lived out daily.
Your friend in Christ,
Jim Meredith
